Tiffany & Co. reported that worldwide sales rose 17% in its fourth quarter ended January 31st. Net sales increased to $981.4 million, compared with $837.6 million in last year’s fourth quarter. For the 2009 fiscal year, net sales were $2.71 billion, or percent below $2.85 billion in the prior year.

In the Americas, sales increased 14 percent to $523.5 million in the fourth quarter. Sales of $1.41 billion in the fiscal year were 11 percent below the prior year. Comparable U.S. store sales rose 11 percent in the fourth quarter and declined 15 percent in the fiscal year. Sales in the New York flagship store and comparable U.S. branch stores increased 22 percent and 8 percent in the fourth quarter, and declined 15 percent and 15 percent in the fiscal year. Combined Internet and catalog sales in the U.S. increased 16 percent in the quarter and declined 1 percent in the year.

In the Asia-Pacific region, sales rose 14 percent to $318.0 million in the fourth quarter. Sales increased 4 percent to $957.2 million in the year. In Europe, sales increased 29 percent to $122.9 million in the fourth quarter and 10 percent to $311.8 million in the year.

JCK